This topic has been created to end the deluge of Mass Effect related comments in the Tavern.
So with out further adieu, let us begin talking about the Mass Effect series. Do you like or hate it? Which game did you enjoy more (1, 2 or that iPhone one)? Who was your favorite ally in each game? Did you go Renegade or Paragon? Which Normandy do you like more? Thoughts on plot of each game? Do you like the enemies? Are you Human-centric or alien-centric? Finally, be honest, who'd you sleep with?
I enjoyed ME2 far better than the first one. In the first game, I only ever used Wrex and Liara as allies (I played an infiltrator myself), while in the second game my favorite teammates were Grunt, Legion, Thane, and Miranda (my favorite team was Grunt and Legion with myself, but I needed biotic powers sometimes). I went Paragon. Normandy 2 is sick. Honestly didn't find the end of #2 nearly as bad as people say it was. Slept with Miranda.
There were a lot of things about the first one that I liked more than the second one. Mainly the more traditional RPG aspects of it (not that it had many, anyways!).
That said, the second one was probably the better game objectively. The sidequests were more engaging, the character interaction was better. The mining was tedious. I like them both, though, and I don't think I could personally pick between them.
The second Normandy is obviously better, and I don't know if anyone would pick the first over it. I was pretty mixed on paragon/renegade, although by the end of the game my paragon bar was a bit higher. I ended up picking Jack, Miranda isn't really my type.
My game ended up being 37 hours, but I like to take it slow.
Also, PC version.
(http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7514/62445556.png)
should I?
I took 35 hours to complete the second game and 32 to beat the first.
I went soldier because I enjoy being able to use all the guns (and I had a hell of a time getting through Eden Prime w/o being a soldier :( ). My standard party in ME1 was Me, Wrex and Ashley.
For ME2 I wound up with a very similar squad - Grunt and Thane. I guess you could say I preferred a combat heavy team, lol.
I love both games deeply but, as with TheMeanestGuest, ME2 is the better game (Objectively speaking). I really enjoyed the change from 'going down and wandering around' to 'scan first, land second.' I also enjoyed the new Heavy Weapons (especially the Flamer!). However, I really missed the loss of the traditional RPG elements, specifically weapons and armor customization for my allies. Given my combat bent with the game, it was a lot of fun to give Ashley and Wrex my hand-me-downs.
As for the Normandy, I liked the first one more. Granted the SV-2 Normandy was a much better looking ship BUT, the 4 load screens really turned me off. I much preferred the intimacy of the two decks.
Speaking of intimacy, I only slept with Thane (yes I played a girl Shepard).
If I had to state my 3 favorite allies from each game they would be:
ME1: Wrex, Ashley & Garrus
ME2: Thane, Grunt, Legion
Quote from: Nomadic[spoiler](http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7514/62445556.png)[/spoiler]
should I?
YES!
I have mixed feelings about the 1st game (which is the only I've played and right now I'm not expecting to pick up the second). I can understand why people liked it in some ways, but I wasn't terribly fond of it. I have liked similar games, such as the KotOR games, but this was just very... bland. First off, the design of it all is damn ugly. Just take a look at the guns damnit, they all look alike with their silver and their small flashing lights; there was no real distinction between anything! (also, at some point I could just buy the best guns in the game in the Normandy) The levels were mostly equally tedious, with some generic corridors with nothing to do, except shoot at people. The biotics seemed largely useless (admittedly, I gave up on them early on) and I just couldn't take all that damn blue light (again, bad visual design if you ask me).
Then there were the driving sequences which I probably spent more time on than I should have. They weren't exactly well implemented.
And the Geth... Horribly generic. And you had to fight like the same three variants throughout the entire game... The reapers were kinda cool though :D
And now we are on the creatures, that's probably one of the things I liked the most about the game. It had some really cool aliens. The Elcor, the Hanar, the Krogan and the Quarians were especially cool.
I played a male soldier and I think my companions were mostly Liara and Wrex. But then later Ashley shot Wrex... Hmm, kinda cool but kinda annoying since I liked him. I also think I used Tali often just to round out my team somewhat.
Well, I hope I haven't offended anyone particularly invested in this series :)
Ashley = fail
I always offed her at the nuke scene when I was playing at my friend's house.
I'm still at the beginning of Mass Effect 1. Dragon Age didn't draw me in, and I had a hard time playing KotOR, so I was worried that Bioware was losing its affect on me. But, Mass Effect instantly drew me in. So much that I'm again thinking of working on my sci-fi setting, though I'll need to wait a while so it isn't too influenced by ME.
Quote from: Cataclysmic CrowI have mixed feelings about the 1st game (which is the only I've played and right now I'm not expecting to pick up the second). I can understand why people liked it in some ways, but I wasn't terribly fond of it. I have liked similar games, such as the KotOR games, but this was just very... bland. First off, the design of it all is damn ugly. Just take a look at the guns damnit, they all look alike with their silver and their small flashing lights; there was no real distinction between anything! (also, at some point I could just buy the best guns in the game in the Normandy) The levels were mostly equally tedious, with some generic corridors with nothing to do, except shoot at people. The biotics seemed largely useless (admittedly, I gave up on them early on) and I just couldn't take all that damn blue light (again, bad visual design if you ask me).
I feel the exact opposite on everything except the Biotics. They are a bit of a pain but once you level them up, they become a lot of fun.
Quote from: Cataclysmic CrowAnd the Geth... Horribly generic. And you had to fight like the same three variants throughout the entire game... The reapers were kinda cool though :D
Of course they're generic, we just went through an era of Battlestar Galatica and Terminator shows! Plus they spoke through Saren (in the first game), so we didn't get to hear their side of the story.
Quote from: Cataclysmic CrowAnd now we are on the creatures, that's probably one of the things I liked the most about the game. It had some really cool aliens. The Elcor, the Hanar, the Krogan and the Quarians were especially cool.
If you want to get technical the Hanar are generic non-humanoid lifeforms who view the world differently, the Krogan are your run of the mill mercenary Klingons, the Quarians (and their relationship to the Geth) are a rip off of Battlestar Galatica. In fact the Humans and the Citadel are a rip off of Babylon 5. Hell everything about Mass Effect can be called generic except for the Elcor and Asari! But then we have to remember - ideas are not original, it's just how you combine them that makes something unique.
Quote from: NomadicAshley = fail
You wish! If I played a guy, I'd be all up in that.
Quote from: XeviatI'm still at the beginning of Mass Effect 1. Dragon Age didn't draw me in, and I had a hard time playing KotOR, so I was worried that Bioware was losing its affect on me. But, Mass Effect instantly drew me in.
Dragon Age: Origins had a lot of problems, not least was the graphics but good to hear Mass Effect grabbed ya! :)
>>played a male soldier and I think my companions were mostly Liara and Wrex. But then later Ashley shot Wrex... Hmm, kinda cool but kinda annoying since I liked him. I also think I used Tali often just to round out my team somewhat.
You know... Wrex did not have to die. There are at least 3 ways that situation can end. (There is an achievement for it.)
You just cannot play Virmire until last of all the missions (or second to last). (You need enough Intimidate or Persuade Points)
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Re Blue? I did not see that as a problem. I usually have difficulty seeing things in games and stop playing them as a result- I avoid dark games for that reason. I loved Mass Effect's bright colors. :)
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I also find the complaints that Mass Effect 1 was generic to be a bit annoying. Mass Effect 1 purposefully relied on certain motifs and trends that are present in sci-fi stories to repackage them into a cohesive and coherent package that everyone can enjoy. I greatly enjoyed all the cliches they were obviously making light of. ME1's designers knowingly reimagined a lot of traditional ideas- and when you knowingly reimagine something, and as I think we all realize here at the CBG it is impossible to do much of anything but, you make it your own and you make it good.
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Nomadic... Why not Kaiden, he was far more annoying. I could not manage to get through a conversation tree without insulting him at least once.
Quote from: Light DragonNomadic... Why not Kaiden, he was far more annoying.
THANK YOU!
Light Dragon is my Hero of the Day! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/RHO1/Hero.png)
Yeah, sorry, I didn't want you to interpret it as I hated the game for its lack of new ideas or creative twists. It was original enough as such, and as you pointed out most ideas are derivations of something in the end and I don't really mind that. I just didn't like its creative direction on most counts. But I guess that's up to personal taste.
And I felt it was anything but colorful! It was mostly grey/silver, blue, and black. I would have loved a colorful game. But in the end you didn't really get the feeling of exploring a giant colorful/differentiated universe when all of them had largely the same geth and the same corridors with one or two unique scenes to look forward to.
And yeah, I know Wrex could have survived, and I tried drawing the conversation in that direction, but then Ashley just suddenly grabbed her gun and shot him in the back. :/
Also, as mentioned, the gameplay wasn't really that impressive. There was no real distinction between different weapons of the same type, the abilities gained by the skill trees were largely passive or temporary buffs, the shooting sequences were somewhat awkward combinations of 1st person/RPG and the biotics were both very similar to each other and somewhat useless. The conversations worked well enough, but I didn't find them particularly revolutionary as promised. Fahrenheit might even have been more revolutionary on that count.
It wasn't really bad, it was just disappointing.
I am angry, I bought the game and installed it and it crashes on start up. So basically I wasted $20 on ME. Hopefully ME2 will run once I get it installed. Otherwise I can't play them at all until I get a new computer (the longer things go the more I am considering shelling out $1000-$1500 for a brand new desktop).
Quote from: Light DragonNomadic... Why not Kaiden, he was far more annoying. I could not manage to get through a conversation tree without insulting him at least once.
]. I could deal with her to a degree, right up until the point she killed Wrex. I don't care if there might have been a possible way to not kill Wrex. YOU DON'T KILL WREX. She's earned my undying hate.
Quote from: NomadicI am angry, I bought the game and installed it and it crashes on start up. So basically I wasted $20 on ME. Hopefully ME2 will run once I get it installed. Otherwise I can't play them at all until I get a new computer (the longer things go the more I am considering shelling out $1000-$1500 for a brand new desktop).
Quote from: Light DragonNomadic... Why not Kaiden, he was far more annoying. I could not manage to get through a conversation tree without insulting him at least once.
]. I could deal with her to a degree, right up until the point she killed Wrex. I don't care if there might have been a possible way to not kill Wrex. YOU DON'T KILL WREX. She's earned my undying hate.
I see your problem here. You're working under the false assumption that Wrex is better than Ashley.
Quote from: Elemental_ElfQuote from: NomadicI am angry, I bought the game and installed it and it crashes on start up. So basically I wasted $20 on ME. Hopefully ME2 will run once I get it installed. Otherwise I can't play them at all until I get a new computer (the longer things go the more I am considering shelling out $1000-$1500 for a brand new desktop).
Quote from: Light DragonNomadic... Why not Kaiden, he was far more annoying. I could not manage to get through a conversation tree without insulting him at least once.
]. I could deal with her to a degree, right up until the point she killed Wrex. I don't care if there might have been a possible way to not kill Wrex. YOU DON'T KILL WREX. She's earned my undying hate.
I see your problem here. You're working under the ultimate truth that Wrex is better than Ashley.
Fixed that one for ya, you seemed to have a typo in it. ;)
Quote from: NomadicQuote from: Elemental_ElfQuote from: NomadicI am angry, I bought the game and installed it and it crashes on start up. So basically I wasted $20 on ME. Hopefully ME2 will run once I get it installed. Otherwise I can't play them at all until I get a new computer (the longer things go the more I am considering shelling out $1000-$1500 for a brand new desktop).
Quote from: Light DragonNomadic... Why not Kaiden, he was far more annoying. I could not manage to get through a conversation tree without insulting him at least once.
]. I could deal with her to a degree, right up until the point she killed Wrex. I don't care if there might have been a possible way to not kill Wrex. YOU DON'T KILL WREX. She's earned my undying hate.
I see your problem here. You're working under the ultimate truth that Wrex is better than Ashley.
Fixed that one for ya, you seemed to have a typo in it. ;)
I agree wholeheartedly with you and bow to your superior choice of wrex over ashley. Furthermore this is most certainly not nomadic abusing his powers to edit posts in a frivolous manner.
*casually whistles and walks off*
Quote from: Nomadic*casually whistles and walks off*
You dare abuse the powers given to you by Turtle Thor? You dare tempt his Wrath? :poke:
Anyways back to Mass Effect....
In ME2, whic powers did you guys choose to evolve?
I didn't go the biotics route. I had an infiltrator with maxed sniper. So much fun to slink through a level and put rounds through geth eyepieces at 400 yards. Also upped assault rifle really high as it was perfect for dealing with swarms (especially in the rachni (sp?) area).
Quote from: NomadicI didn't go the biotics route. I had an infiltrator with maxed sniper. So much fun to slink through a level and put rounds through geth eyepieces at 400 yards. Also upped assault rifle really high as it was perfect for dealing with swarms (especially in the rachni (sp?) area).
I learned the value of the Sniper Rifle in ME2. The only time I ever used my Assault Rifle was when I was under threat of melee.
Okay, my criticism now only applies to ME1. I got a friend to allow me to try out ME2, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Got to play around with a Vanguard and various powers and weapons and it was really quite fun :D (go Biotic Charge aka human missile)
Although I must say the first characters you can get a hand on seem like the least interesting of the bunch (Jacob, Miranda & Zaaed).
Quote from: Elemental_ElfQuote from: NomadicI didn't go the biotics route. I had an infiltrator with maxed sniper. So much fun to slink through a level and put rounds through geth eyepieces at 400 yards. Also upped assault rifle really high as it was perfect for dealing with swarms (especially in the rachni (sp?) area).
I learned the value of the Sniper Rifle in ME2. The only time I ever used my Assault Rifle was when I was under threat of melee.
Yea the sniper rifle is beautiful. Especially when dealing with the tripods. With the big tripods I had two methods of attack:
On Ground: Get behind cover, pull out sniper rifle, pop out and shoot and pull back from return volley.
In Mako: Aim at enemy, hit the gas, let out a war cry as you run them over, pull back and shoot them with cannon and machine gun, repeat when they stand up again
Quote from: Cataclysmic CrowAlthough I must say the first characters you can get a hand on seem like the least interesting of the bunch (Jacob, Miranda & Zaaed).
Jacob is Joe Everyman, just like Kaiden was before. Miranda is actually kind of cool once you get to know her. Zaaed is a DLC character, so technically he can be your third companion or your last :)
I just rerolled on ME1, I'm on Noveria and am starring at the Rachni Queen.
So did you let her escape and breed away or did you drown her in a vat of acid?
Quote from: Elemental_Elf I just rerolled on ME1, I'm on Noveria and am starring at the Rachni Queen.
So did you let her escape and breed away or did you drown her in a vat of acid?
I let her escape. I want to see the Rachni version of a zerg rush :P
Quote from: NomadicQuote from: Elemental_Elf I just rerolled on ME1, I'm on Noveria and am starring at the Rachni Queen.
So did you let her escape and breed away or did you drown her in a vat of acid?
I let her escape. I want to see the Rachni version of a zerg rush :P
My friend always let's her go because he wants to see the Salerians cry as they remove the Genophage, so that the Krogan can save the Galaxy for a second time!
Me? I burn the Queen. No way in hell I'd ever want to deal with the Rachni, the Krogan, the Geth AND the Reapers...
Quote from: Elemental_Elf Quote from: NomadicQuote from: Elemental_Elf I just rerolled on ME1, I'm on Noveria and am starring at the Rachni Queen.
So did you let her escape and breed away or did you drown her in a vat of acid?
I let her escape. I want to see the Rachni version of a zerg rush :P
My friend always let's her go because he wants to see the Salerians cry as they remove the Genophage, so that the Krogan can save the Galaxy for a second time!
Me? I burn the Queen. No way in hell I'd ever want to deal with the Rachni, the Krogan, the Geth AND the Reapers...
You know from what I've heard...
[spoiler]
If you release the rachni queen she begins breeding a massive rachni force to fight the reapers.
[/spoiler]
I have been thinking about buying that game from Amazon, but I had read a review saying that you need the internet to register or play or something to that affect, my mainframe has no access to the internet, so, there's no way to play? Is that correct?
Quote from: NomadicQuote from: Elemental_Elf Quote from: NomadicQuote from: Elemental_Elf I just rerolled on ME1, I'm on Noveria and am starring at the Rachni Queen.
So did you let her escape and breed away or did you drown her in a vat of acid?
I let her escape. I want to see the Rachni version of a zerg rush :P
My friend always let's her go because he wants to see the Salerians cry as they remove the Genophage, so that the Krogan can save the Galaxy for a second time!
Me? I burn the Queen. No way in hell I'd ever want to deal with the Rachni, the Krogan, the Geth AND the Reapers...
You know from what I've heard...
[spoiler]
If you release the rachni queen she begins breeding a massive rachni force to fight the reapers.
[/spoiler]
Yes, indeed. When [spoiler] You go to Ilium, if you freed the rachni queen, a random asari possessed by her will approach you and thank you, and basically inform you that she's got your back in the coming battle. [/spoiler]
Just finished it this morning.
Personally, I feel this is far and away better than the first one. My only two complaints are that there is no reason to have the other DLC custom armors (you can't upgrade them, damnit...), and that cover is sticky (No Shepherd, why would I tell you to vault OVER the cover into the middle of the husk swarm!?). Loved all the characters; they have personality now, and I actually was worried about who to send in (picked wrong. Must fix that next time).
I won't get into the argument over Normandy 1 vs. Normany 2, but I'll just say I know which one I like better. That you could deck out your quarters like the command deck of the enterprise was a selling point.
So now I'm wondering, which descisions in this game will come back to bite you in the ass in the last one? I kinda assumed you [spoiler]destroying the vessel and pissing off the Illusive Man[/spoiler] will, but I'm betting we'll see the fan again, that merc in Afterlife...
@DM, I think it looks for a net connection, but I don't think you'll have trouble if it's not there. If you have Cerberus Net Access, you won't be able to use that, but...
Quote from: Stargate525I won't get into the argument over Normandy 1 vs. Normany 2, but I'll just say I know which one I like better. That you could deck out your quarters like the command deck of the enterprise was a selling point.
I loved that bit too! That and the personal stereo! I just hope (in ME3) they add CDs to the list of frivolous things we can buy! :)
Quote from: Stargate525So now I'm wondering, which decisions [spoiler][/spoiler] in this game will come back to bite you in the ass in the last one? I kinda assumed you [spoiler]destroying the vessel and pissing off the Illusive Man[/spoiler] will, but I'm betting we'll see the fan again, that merc in Afterlife...
[spoiler]I let the Illusive man have the facility, it could very well save us... However, I have a sneaking suspicion the Illusive man maybe an operative of the Reapers. He just strikes me as being a little too well connected, a little too rich and a little too convenient. Hopefully my gamble pays off in spades but... My gut tells me I made this war a whole lot more difficult. [/spoiler]
Quote from: Elemental_Elf [spoiler]I let the Illusive man have the facility, it could very well save us... However, I have a sneaking suspicion the Illusive man maybe an operative of the Reapers. He just strikes me as being a little too well connected, a little too rich and a little too convenient. Hopefully my gamble pays off in spades but... My gut tells me I made this war a whole lot more difficult. [/spoiler]
[spoiler]It did just occur to me that his transmission was awfully well-timed... Hmm.[/spoiler]
The last scene had me shitting bricks, too.
Quote from: Stargate525
[spoiler]It did just occur to me that his transmission was awfully well-timed... Hmm.[/spoiler]
[/quote]
[spoiler]An optimist would claim 'he was always well intentioned, it's just the threat of the Reapers that has skewed Shepard's outlook in favor of the Illusive Man.' A pessimist would say 'he's a COLLABORATOR! God, why can't you optimistic people see it!? ;) [/spoiler]
Well, gonna buy it(them) and see what happens....
Just beat ME1 with a Male Vanguard. My Shepard is lover of Liara, savior of the Council and Hero of Humanity.
[spoiler]I still can't force myself to elect the Ambassador as Humanity's Council Representative. I know he's the better choice but... God, I hate Politicians. [/spoiler]
Well I'm off to bring him into ME2! Wish me luck!
Quote from: Elemental_Elf Just beat ME1 with a Male Vanguard. My Shepard is lover of Liara, savior of the Council and Hero of Humanity.
[spoiler]I still can't force myself to elect the Ambassador as Humanity's Council Representative. I know he's the better choice but... God, I hate Politicians. [/spoiler]
Well I'm off to bring him into ME2! Wish me luck!
[spoiler]
Udina needs to be ejected out an airlock... by anderson. I would gladly pay $100 for ME3 if the entire game was just a cinematic of that event.
[/spoiler]
Quote from: NomadicQuote from: Elemental_Elf Just beat ME1 with a Male Vanguard. My Shepard is lover of Liara, savior of the Council and Hero of Humanity.
[spoiler]I still can't force myself to elect the Ambassador as Humanity's Council Representative. I know he's the better choice but... God, I hate Politicians. [/spoiler]
Well I'm off to bring him into ME2! Wish me luck!
[spoiler]
Udina needs to be ejected out an airlock... by anderson. I would gladly pay $100 for ME3 if the entire game was just a cinematic of that event.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I wish that was a DLC for ME2, that way I can have it NOW!!! [/spoiler]
In the meantime enjoy the best scene from ME1 (epic part is at 4:40).
Win (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z2BpO3j2lE)
Quote from: NomadicIn the meantime enjoy the best scene from ME1 (epic part is at 4:40).
Win (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z2BpO3j2lE)
:yumm: That scene is awesome (and much better than the alternate option!). :D
I want to revive this topic.
I was at a midnight release for Mass Effect 2. I even had it preordered from GameStop, meaning I got the Silgularity Projector which is easily the coolest weapon in the game. I played it a bit when it first came out but something drew me away. I don't even remember what anymore.
I'm back playing it now, hopefully going to play through the whole thing. I'm playing the part biotic class this time, hoping to get the achievement on the 360 for combining biotic attacks. In the past, I have always played soldiers.
After finishing Mass Effect 3, I will probably go through all of them again as paragon. I've been doing renegade.
Looks like Ninja D is a Necromancer ^^
Has everyone seen the cool teaser video for ME3 yet? http://youtu.be/wMu1WRgYB7U
And the official Trailer? http://youtu.be/CbJszK2Zhs0
Right now I am playing through ME2 with my Paragon Tech/Biotic (forgot the name). I like the (main character) Soldier more than the Tech/Rogue but this guy is still a lot of fun.
I can't wait for ME3 to come out, my soldier is going to renegade it up and kill stuff!
I am extremely excited to continue my infiltrator Markus Shepard through to the end. He had a relationship with Liara in ME1, and Miranda in ME2. ME3 will be scandalous.
Also, I have a Clint Shepard renegade character who looks just like Clint Eastwood that I would also like to finish someday.
I played through as a Femshep Infiltrator, roughly 90% Renegade 70% Paragon at the end of ME2 - I picked the more ruthless/underhanded tactical and problem-solving options but tried to stay tolerant of aliens and compassionate towards genuine innocents (did stuff like let the Rachni free). She had a relationship with Liara and stayed faithful in ME2, except for some flirting/fish-feeding with Yeoman Chambers.
My Renegade Soldier is named Jane Shepard and she did not have a relationship in ME1 and her lover in ME2 was Thane (who's probably dead now in ME3). Jane is a focuses and driven individual that hates bureaucratic red tape. She allowed the council to die and hated Undina. She wasn't anti-alien, per se, but she did believe in the de facto manifest destiny of humanity.
Ben Shepard, my Paragon Sentinel, had a relationship in ME1 with Liara and [spoiler=ME2 DLC Spoiler] Continued that relationship with Liara[/spoiler]. I hope Liara is in ME3, so the two characters can pick up where they left off. He is a pluralist and sees humanity as the newest member of an inter-galactic society, whose history stretches back farther than Humanity believed possible. He saved the council and elected Udina as Humanity's councilor for he is the most experienced. He also believes in the Balance of Power between the council species, and so when Wrex would not see reason, he had the Krogan shot.
I plan on making a Male Infiltrator shooting for a relationship with Ashley in ME1 and Tali in ME2 (no clue how I'm going to pull that one off (how can I be anti-Alien enough to have ashley like me but pro alien enough to bed one?)). I'm not sure about alignment yet, probably 50/50 Renegade and Paragon.
You both shame me. I have not really roleplayed the character and I kept the default name. I've pretty much gone for renegade in any situation I can stomache that option (which is most of the time). The only overall exception to that is not being a racist.
I know they usually fail here but if there were interest, I would very much support someone running a Mass Effect universe play-by-post here, even if that someone had to be me. It could be set up quickly using a published Star Wars system. That would probably cover all the bases since, from a purely mechanical standpoint, biotics = the Force without any mind-influencing stuff.
I got everybody (including myself) killed on my last ME2 playthrough.
Would it be too much to ask for a zombie-Shepard option in ME3?
That wasn't even an option in ME2, it was a requirement. I would think there will be SOMETHING that will give you a boost for having played ME2, even if you died.
Sometimes things behave strangely when I post from my phone. Ignore this post.
Quote from: Ninja D!I know they usually fail here but if there were interest, I would very much support someone running a Mass Effect universe play-by-post here, even if that someone had to be me. It could be set up quickly using a published Star Wars system. That would probably cover all the bases since, from a purely mechanical standpoint, biotics = the Force without any mind-influencing stuff.
Star Wars Saga edition is the easiest fit for a Mass Effect game system. If your goal isn't to emulate the ME games' classes, then the conversion process is quite easy - eliminate the Jedi, eliminate use the force, eliminate force powers that aren't "mass effect-y" and allow any class to pick the Force Sensitivity feat (i.e. Biotic Sensitivity).
So, if you can't tell, I am totally up for a Mass Effect Play-by-post!
Quote from: Elemental_ElfStar Wars Saga edition is the easiest fit for a Mass Effect game system. If your goal isn't to emulate the ME games' classes, then the conversion process is quite easy - eliminate the Jedi, eliminate use the force, eliminate force powers that aren't "mass effect-y" and allow any class to pick the Force Sensitivity feat (i.e. Biotic Sensitivity).
So, if you can't tell, I am totally up for a Mass Effect Play-by-post!
That sounds about right. I'm sure it wouldn't take much to find someone that has already statted up good-enough races, too.
Found this (http://masseffectd20.wikidot.com/) after a quick search. I don't agree with all the stat bonuses/penalties they assign to the various races (they seem excessive and sometimes incorrect... like Intelligence/Charisma penalties for Turians, who IMO should probably have no penalties and maybe an LA, or Dexterity bonuses and Strength penalties for Asari, who aren't presented as being ether quicker or frailer than most human women). Still, might be worth a look.
EDIT: they also don't have stats for Drell, which I'd guess every man and his dog would want to play, or for Vorcha, who would be ENORMOUS fun to play, I think!
Considering Mass Effect is essentially just adapted and "genericized" KoTOR, and KoTOR is just Star Wars d20 adapted to a video game, it does not surprise me that adaptation would work well.
Given the video game's popularity, there will probably be an official P&P RPG eventually. Dragon Age got one, so there's precedent, anyway. :D
Quote from: SteerpikeFound this (http://masseffectd20.wikidot.com/) after a quick search. I don't agree with all the stat bonuses/penalties they assign to the various races (they seem excessive and sometimes incorrect... like Intelligence/Charisma penalties for Turians, who IMO should probably have no penalties and maybe an LA, or Dexterity bonuses and Strength penalties for Asari, who aren't presented as being ether quicker or frailer than most human women). Still, might be worth a look.
EDIT: they also don't have stats for Drell, which I'd guess every man and his dog would want to play, or for Vorcha, who would be ENORMOUS fun to play, I think!
There could be more or we could collaboratively throw something together.
Quote from: sparkletwistConsidering Mass Effect is essentially just adapted and "genericized" KoTOR, and KoTOR is just Star Wars d20 adapted to a video game, it does not surprise me that adaptation would work well.
Given the video game's popularity, there will probably be an official P&P RPG eventually. Dragon Age got one, so there's precedent, anyway. :D
Mass Effect has been around a lot longer than Dragon Age and not gotten an official P&P. Dragon Age probably only did because of the similarity to D&D. Dragon Age Origins actually played like an RPG, too. Also, that game sold poorly and I've heard nothing positive about it...so I don't think it's likely that Mass Effect will get the same treatment.In any case, that wouldn't do us any good right now. :P
Quote from: SteerpikeFound this (http://masseffectd20.wikidot.com/) after a quick search. I don't agree with all the stat bonuses/penalties they assign to the various races (they seem excessive and sometimes incorrect... like Intelligence/Charisma penalties for Turians, who IMO should probably have no penalties and maybe an LA, or Dexterity bonuses and Strength penalties for Asari, who aren't presented as being ether quicker or frailer than most human women). Still, might be worth a look.
EDIT: they also don't have stats for Drell, which I'd guess every man and his dog would want to play, or for Vorcha, who would be ENORMOUS fun to play, I think!
I like some of the abilities listed for each race but dislike the stat modifiers. Why are Turians getting a neg to INT? It makes no sense.
I think if we were to play a Mass Effect PbP, then we should probably just stat out the races ourselves. Personally, I'd favor a more minimalist approach, like Star Wars Saga does with its races, rather than the D&D 3.5 approach that gives races a ton of special rules.
Quote from: Ninja D!Quote from: sparkletwistConsidering Mass Effect is essentially just adapted and "genericized" KoTOR, and KoTOR is just Star Wars d20 adapted to a video game, it does not surprise me that adaptation would work well.
Given the video game's popularity, there will probably be an official P&P RPG eventually. Dragon Age got one, so there's precedent, anyway. :D
Mass Effect has been around a lot longer than Dragon Age and not gotten an official P&P. Dragon Age probably only did because of the similarity to D&D. Dragon Age Origins actually played like an RPG, too. Also, that game sold poorly and I've heard nothing positive about it...so I don't think it's likely that Mass Effect will get the same treatment.In any case, that wouldn't do us any good right now. :P
I actually found the Dragon Age: Dark Fantasy p&p RPG to be quite good. Its a very basic, rules light game. It wasn't popular because the designers only gave you 5 levels to play with and never bothered to release the second box set until just a few weeks ago (which was around a year+ wait). Sad really, it could have become popular if they had only supported it.
I've never played it, or don't even know much about it, really. But you raise a good point saying it's similar to D&D. People likely just thought "hey, I could just play D&D" and didn't buy it. On the other hand, it seems to me there's not really a "hey, I could just play ___" as pervasive in the sci-fi niche, maybe Star Wars, but I don't think it's anywhere close. So who knows. If the Dragon Age one didn't sell well they probably won't want to try again, though... oh well. :P
I think that the main reason the system didn't see more support was because of how unpopular it was upon release. I've looked at teaching my girlfriend P&P games and I had hoped that would be a great place to start since she loved Dragon Age Origins. Basically, I was hoping that it would be a P&P version of the rules from the video game and it sounds like it is absolutely not that, which is disappointing. I was looking forward to it and so I read a lot of reviews when it first came out and none of them were good. If someone here likes it, it may be worth a second look...
If there is some interest in a Mass Effect universe play-by-post, maybe a thread should be made about it. There would be a little bit of conversion to do to make it work. I'd either like to find someone that has already done that or see if the potential group could do it more or less collaboratively. Sound about good? I'm not calling GM at this point, either. I'll do it if no one else wants to and there are people that want to play but I would just as soon take the role of a player. Either is good for me.
Quote from: Ninja D!I think that the main reason the system didn't see more support was because of how unpopular it was upon release. I've looked at teaching my girlfriend P&P games and I had hoped that would be a great place to start since she loved Dragon Age Origins. Basically, I was hoping that it would be a P&P version of the rules from the video game and it sounds like it is absolutely not that, which is disappointing. I was looking forward to it and so I read a lot of reviews when it first came out and none of them were good. If someone here likes it, it may be worth a second look...
The game is very rules light and very easy to teach a complete newbie in 15 minutes. It takes a bit of getting used to (since most RPGs are not rules light) but once you get the hang of it, its quite easy. Its definitely not a system I'd use long term but for teaching, its pretty good.
Although the following might appear to be a diatribe, I'm really just curious: was I the only one who found Mass Effect (or the first game at least, which is the only one I have played to date) a little bland? It has its moments, but mostly it felt like a rather gray, dull world? Just shining metal and glowing lights. Not exactly inspiring visuals (I'm not talking graphics, just visual design).
The plot seemed to derail a bit towards the end and once again we are left with a "Save the World, oh Chosen One" storyline (although no prophecies, phew) with Giant Robots of Evil.
The Geth were also bloody everywhere. I could have used some more diversity... Also, the biotic powers are particularly uninspiring: some blue light and then not much else. I would almost rather have gone without.
[spoiler]Also, the end-boss killed himself (admittedly, my own fault for trying to talk him down with maxed speak skill), which was kind of anti-climatic, and if you forgot to buy stuff you got pretty much all the best equipment in the game from the merchant on the Normandy, making discovering new equipment largely unecessary...[/spoiler]
Some of the side-quests had some pretty fun conclusions though (e.g. the Rachni) and I was duly impressed by ME2 when I got to try it at a friend's house. Major improvement.
Thanks, EE, maybe I will take a look at the initial release.
The first game, looking at just the game, is a little bland. As sparkletwist said, it was basically meant to be KotOR 3 without having to license IP so it was made a little generic. If you explore all the speech options, it comes to life a little more. They really did detail a full setting in the codex and every planet had a decent description...but, yeah, it was a little bland. Go back to it knowing the setting better and it's much more enjoyable.
In ME2, at least they got away from all the sidequests being nearly identical...and replaced it with very few sidequests, some of which are incredibly short and some are rather stupid.
They're both very good games that are lacking in different ways. I'm sure ME3 will be the same, improved. At least Bioware games are of good length, I just wish they didn't work with EA.
There are some less than stellar visuals in ME1 and the story is a little straightforward, but I thought the storytelling itself (pacing, conflict, etc) and characters were superb and the voice-acting very solid. ME2 was pretty stunning visually, had even better character development, and had a more complex story. What I really like about the series is its emphasis on world-building and character choices instead of action and character optimization.
Mass Effect borrows much from other works of science fiction. Specters are merely a realistic version of Jedi. The Quarian-Geth problems mimics Battlestar Galactica quite well. Earth's first interstellar war shares many similarities with the Earth-Mimbari war in Babylon 5. The Citadel and the Council remind many of Babylon 5 and its Council (especially the fact that the most powerful species, militarily speaking, are the leaders). The Galaxy being connected by Mass Relays, which are fairly similar to B5's Hyperspace Gates. Humanity's pan-national planetary government is called the Alliance, just like B5. The way biotics are treated is similar to B5's PsiCorps, though much less draconian (well at least until you start talking to Kaiden).
So, um...Mass Effect 3?
"Would have liked to run some tests on sea shells." Is terribly depressing and almost sig-worthy to me.
Also, I somehow missed the last post in this thread. I think that biotics are more force user than anything like the PsiCorps. That was the intention, I think.
Omigosh. That ending. My copy of ME3 hasn't arrived yet, but when it does, I'm not sure if I'm even going to take it out of its packaging. What a horrible, horrible ending.
I haven't gotten there yet. I prefer to see it in chronological order.
I guess you've been relatively insulated from the "controversy" surrounding ME3, then. Just a heads up: If you reach the end of that game and find yourself utterly enraged/despondent/stupefied, this is only natural. There is a thread on the Bioware Social Network that is over 1200 pages long (that's over 30,000 posts) devoted exclusively to fan hate for the finale. The thread is only 16 days old.
The general consensus is that the other 99% of the game is frickin awesome.
I've heard a lot of people complain about it, just haven't cared. Nothing will hurt me more than what I said above.
Then your soul is ready!
What ending? There was no ending.
And it's a pity thy never made a sequel to the Matrix.
Quote from: Stargate525
What ending? There was no ending.
And it's a pity thy never made a sequel to the Matrix.
Yea, also I never got why A new hope was labeled as episode 4 when 1, 2, and 3 were never released.
People keep telling me Indie had a kid. And that Hannibal Lecter was once a samurai.
Quote from: NomadicYea, also I never got why A new hope was labeled as episode 4 when 1, 2, and 3 were never released.
I heard that he's going to make those someday.
It sounds like Bioware is seriously considering changing the ending of ME3.
The prevailing question among ME fans seems to be: will they or won't they charge for it?
I guess that it was mad official today that they will be changing the ending. If they change the ending, I would think that would mean no charge. I would expect more along the lines of a DLC that clarifies the ending or some such BS from EA, though.
I wouldn't expect much. Despite Bioware's insistent claims, ME3's ending had nothing to do with artistic license; the game was obviously rushed. The alternative is to accept that throughout the game's production they flat-out lied about the trilogy's climax (16 different endings!), which is blatant false advertising. This peace offering is really just damage control because - among other things - the PS3 version is sitting on an ugly 3.7 on Metacritic.
I don't remember ever hearing about multiple endings. In ME3, they sort of went with the "fuck the choices you made before" approach, except with companions.
Metacritic is a great idea that is not really used all that much and full of idiot trolls. It should not be taken seriously.
Oh there was a lot of talk about multiple endings. It's the crux of why fans raged so hard that BioWare is ready to compromise.
The biggest complaint that I've heard is that it was just a crappy ending.